How Industrial Safety Enhances Employee Health: Invest in Safety

Establishing certain rules for workplace safety not only helps avoid hazards in the workplace but also has a direct influence on the health of the employees.

Considering how an average worker spends approximately one-third of their life at work, it is important to foster an environment that is safe to not only boost employee well-being but also maximise productivity and satisfaction.

Reduced Injuries and Illnesses: By implementing robust health & safety management systems in industries, such as regular safety audits, risk assessment, etc., management can significantly reduce instances of workplace-related accidents and injuries.

For example, safety practices such as high visibility garments for employees working in hazardous settings with lots of moving machinery can reduce accident risks from poor visibility.

Similarly, stringent high-voltage electrical safety practices, such as training for handling high-voltage equipment, can minimise the risk of shocks and burns.

Lowers Stress and Anxiety: There are essentially two kinds of safety management systems. The first is a centralised process where the management prioritises safety and the second is a decentralised process where the workforce adapts to available resources to enhance safety.

When workplace safety for employees is prioritised, it relieves their stress and anxiety about their work setting. This proactive approach not only improves mental health but also improves the overall job satisfaction and productivity.

When industrial work settings proactively establish rules for workplace safety and instil appropriate measures, such as high visibility garments, high voltage electrical safety, workmen’s compensation insurance policy, etc., it creates a supportive work environment.

To avoid hazards in a workplace, certain standard safety procedures can be implemented. These include:

Guidelines for Health and Safety in the Workplace: It is important to implement proper health and safety guidelines and train the workforce to understand and adhere to the best practices.

These include safe procedures for operating the machinery and equipment, training for hazards, conducting safety audits at regular intervals, etc. All these can help prevent injuries and accidents.

Regulations for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): To protect employees from specific risks, it is important to enforce proper rules. It must be mandatory in industry settings for employees to use appropriate gear, such as helmets, gloves, safety goggles, etc., to prevent potential accidents.

Risk Identification and Prevention: It is important to have a risk assessment done at regular intervals and identify hazards proactively. When threats are identified before they escalate, it can prevent accidents and create a safe work environment.

Plans for Emergency Preparedness: Employers need to conduct drills at regular intervals so employees can respond efficiently in the event of an accident. Increasing awareness about quick and organised responses can save lives and mitigate severe consequences.

Workmen’s Compensation Insurance Policy: Every industrial business must invest in workmen’s compensation insurance, which acts as a financial safety net to secure employees who suffer from work-related injuries.

Under this insurance, the policyholder is secured against recovery and legal compliance underscoring the commitment of an organisation towards employee well-being.

When companies prioritise workplace safety for employees, they showcase a commitment to the health and well-being of their workforce. Subsequently, this improves the company's public image and helps attract top talent.

Maintaining a safety record highlights a company’s operational responsibility and values.

This also instils a sense of loyalty among the existing workforce. It can solidify an organisation’s stance in the sector when it receives positive media coverage for its safety practices.

In essence, by focusing on safety, the organisation's brand is strengthened, which contributes to its long-term growth and success.

In addition to the moral importance of ensuring industrial safety management, it is also a legal obligation that organisations are expected to adhere to. Under labour law and regulations, standard guidelines for safety have been outlined.

By implementing an appropriate health & safety management system, legal compliance can be ensured. These practices include:

Guidelines for Adhering to Safety Standards: Industry safety programs provide guidelines with safety regulations and procedures that align with regulations. This helps prevent penalties and potential legal liabilities.

Following Safety Standards: Safety guidelines are not merely protocols but are in place to prevent accidents and protect workers. However, if these guidelines are not followed through, the risk of accident remains.

So, employees need to lower the risk of accidents by following the necessary safety practices and fostering a safe work environment.

Managing Legal Complications from Non-Compliance: When safety regulations are neglected, it invites hefty fines, complex lawsuits and even criminal allegations. To prevent these ramifications, industry safety programs are in place. They can help organisations function within the legal framework.

Safety is not about simply adhering to rules but also about creating a collaborative work environment. When workplace safety for employees is ensured, it reduces any friction between management and workers and fosters industrial trust.

As safety becomes a shared responsibility, it opens pathways for efficient communication and optimised teamwork within the organisation.

The workforce feels comfortable in highlighting any safety concerns preemptively so management can address them proactively and mitigate any accidents. When safety meetings and sessions for training are conducted at regular intervals every employee feels actively involved in maintaining safety standards.

This approach strengthens the relationships between the employer and the employee. The commitment bolsters cooperation and trust while also evoking a sense of shared responsibility and fostering a safe work environment.

Reporting Unsafe Working Conditions: It is the responsibility of the employees to inform the management of any safety risks in the workplace. Similarly, employers are under a legal obligation to ensure a safe working environment.

Encouraging Regular Breaks: Employers must encourage the workforce to take breaks at appropriate intervals to prevent burnout and fatigue. Not only does this help prevent illnesses and injuries, but also helps the employees focus better.

Promoting Sobriety: Substance abuse is a prominent concern in industrial workplaces, leading to severe accidents and fatalities. Employees who are intoxicated are not alert and their decision-making ability is altered, thereby compromising safety. This results in injuries and accidents in the workplace.

Using Mechanical Assistance: Industrial work settings frequently require employees to operate heavy machinery. To prevent injuries, it is important to use mechanical aids such as forklifts, conveyor belts, etc.

Conducting Routine Inspections:** Safety inspections are an imperative aspect of workplace safety. Managers, third-party consultants, as well as employee committees can provide inspections.

During inspections, the workplace must be thoroughly checked for hazards and corrective measures should be taken actively to mitigate problems.

Encouraging a Healthy Lifestyle: It is important to promote good physical and mental health in an organisation. A healthy lifestyle relies on three key factors: eating healthy, exercising and getting adequate sleep. When employees are healthy, they are more productive and focused.

Investing in Safety Equipment: In addition to the standard safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors, employers must also invest in relevant safety equipment such as harnesses, eye protection, high visibility garments, PPE kits, etc.

Industrial safety is a combined effort between management and the workforce. However, employers have a greater obligation to ensure a safe environment for their employees.

So, in addition to workplace safety practices, organisations may invest in SME insurance or robust commercial insurance to cover financial and legal liabilities that may arise. TATA AIG offers several business insurance plans for this purpose.

By prioritising industrial safety, organisations get several benefits, such as operational efficiency, lowered insurance costs and enhanced industrial relations.

What are the key elements of effective industrial safety management?

A comprehensive safety management system comprises safety training, risk inspection and emergency preparedness.

What is the role of business insurance in industrial safety?

Business insurance (also known as commercial insurance) offers financial aid in the event of an unforeseeable eventuality.

Some key aspects of commercial insurance include worker’s compensation in the event of an accidental injury at the workplace, liability coverage to secure against legal claims and property coverage to secure against damages.

What are the top benefits of investing in employee safety?

• The top three benefits of employee safety are:

• Reduced workplace accidents

• Better operational efficiency and

• Improved job satisfaction